Joe Palooka in the Counterpunch is a 1949 American film directed by Reginald Le Borg.

[1] Joe heads for South America to fight the Latin champ and defend his title.

He also spars with love interest Anne Howe [2] In a “departure from for the series” this Joe Palooka’s adventure is set in the tropics of South America.

As such, the film resembles the “jungle”-themed serials produced by Universal and Republic studios.

[3] Film historian Wheeler W. Dixon surmises that “Monogram was running out of purely pugilistic situations for Palooka character” and accordingly moved the story “out of the locker room.”[4] Dixon registers praise for LeBorg’s adroit direction: LeBorg staged the film with great attention to lighting and set details, while relying mostly on stock footage and back-lot sets for what little “South American” ambiance the film could afford.